Beneficial Effects of Co-Ultramicronized Palmitoylethanolamide/Luteolin in a Mouse Model of Autism and in a Case Report of Autism

Aims: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition defined by social communication deficits and repetitive restrictive behaviors. Association of the fatty acid amide palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) with the flavonoid luteolin displays neuroprotective and antiinflammatory actions in different models of central nervous system pathologies. We hypothesized that association of PEA with luteolin might have therapeutic utility in ASD, and we employed a well-recognized autism animal model, namely sodium valproate administration, to evaluate cognitive and motor deficits. Methods: Two sets of experiments were conducted. In the first, we investigated the effect of association of ultramicronized PEA with luteolin, co-ultramicronized PEA-LUT (co-ultraPEA-LUT) in a murine model of autistic behaviors, while in the second, the effect of co-ultraPEA-LUT in a patient affected by ASD was examined. Results: Co-ultraPEA-LUT treatment ameliorated social and nonsocial behaviors in valproic acid-induced autistic mice and improved clinical picture with reduction in stereotypes in a 10-year-old male child. Conclusion: These data suggest that ASD symptomatology may be improved by agents documented to control activation of mast cells and microglia. Co-ultraPEA-LUT might be a valid and safe therapy for the symptoms of ASD alone or in combination with other used drugs.